Victorian Day
Children should be seen and not heard’ – or so goes a famous Victorian proverb. On Monday 3 March, as an entry point to the current study of Victorians, all Year 1 children were treated (subjected) to a day of Victorian education. Normally caring, sensitive and cheerful teachers became stern, callous and unforgiving (of even the slightest behavioural or academic misdemeanours). Whilst the children enjoyed the day, everyone is agreed that modern teaching styles and methods are more to our taste. After all, we no longer use violent punishment (cane) or ridicule (dunce’s cap) to manage our classes. The day has given us a valuable insight into Victorian life and generated many questions that we hope to answer over the half-term.